Why did Lexington Center's Vine Brook Tavern close?

The eatery closed its doors in March of this year. The Board of Selectmen accepted the surrender of Vine Brook's liquor license on May 8.

Several town business leaders contacted by the Minuteman said they had not heard anything more than unsubstantiated rumor about why Vine Brook closed. The restaurant's landlord Marty Bloom said he was in the dark, too.

"I have no idea," he said.

The Minuteman's efforts to reach Vine Brook's owners were unsuccessful.

Bloom said he had a relatively arm's length relationship with the restaurant's owners. Vine Brook had subleased its space from the Planet Hollywood company, operators of the Buca di Beppo that had occupied the space until closing in 2012, as Planet Hollywood still has several years left in its lease agreement with Bloom. Vine Brook opened its doors in 2012 after extensively renovating the interior of the building.

Rare is the restaurant that stays open for many years, Bloom said.

"The restaurant business is very fickle, as we know. You have to have the right concept at the right time and only one out of a gazillion are successful," said Bloom, who is himself a restaurateur with experience in Lexington. "The restaurant industry is one of those where you are constantly evolving. And if you're not moving forward, you start to move backward very quickly."

With developments like Third Avenue in Burlington and the general expansion of entertainment options in that community, Lexington retailers and restaurants are facing increased competition, Bloom said. In addition, parking can be easier to find at those Burlington attractions, he said.

Still, Bloom said he doesn't believe Lexington residents should be too concerned about other eateries or shops in the center.

"Lexington Center is about as resilient in the face of recessions as anything I know," he said.